Vitamin D and Respiratory Infections

Did you know that low levels of Vitamin D are associated with an increased risk for respiratory infections, like the flu or common cold? And, that people with respiratory diseases, like asthma and COPD are at an increased risk for this association?

If you have COPD, there is a new COPD clinical trial designed to test the hypothesis that increasing levels of Vitamin D in the body will lead to better COPD outcomes:

Vitamin D as Treatment for COPD Clinical Trial Study

How can you increase your levels of Vitamin D in your body? Here are some helpful tips:

• Eat salmon, with the bones
• Drink 3 cups of milk daily
• Get 15 minutes of sunshine each day, or, if you don't live in a sunshine infested state,
• Take a multivitamin with at least 200 international units of Vitamin D

Do you have some interesting ideas about how to add Vitamin D to your diet? Please be sure to leave a comment!

Chef's Diet Video: Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa & Roased Asparagus Recipe

MMmmmnnnn, just saying the words, "grilled salmon with mango salsa and roasted asparagus" makes my mouth water in delight! If you are like me, and always looking for tasty low-fat, low calorie recipes to cook for yourself or your family, why not try this delicious salmon recipe from Chef's Diet:

Yield:

1 Serving

Protein:

6 oz. Fresh Salmon Fillet (Boneless and Skinless)

Carbohydrate:

1 ea. Mango (1/2 cup, diced)
1 ea. Lime
1 ea. Plum Tomato (diced)
1 ea. Tomatillo (Green Tomato) (diced)
1 ea. sm. Red Onion (diced)
1/2 tsp. Cilantro
1/2 cp. Corn Niblets
7-8 ea. Asparagus Spears
1/4 cup of Wild Rice (cooked)

Fat:

1/8 cp. Olive oil

Method:

Turn grill on low flame. Spray cooking oil on heated grill.

To make salsa, toss together the diced mango, red onion, tomato, tomatillo, corn, cilantro and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lime and add pinch of salt & pepper to taste. Toss lightly and set aside to allow all the flavors to merge together.

On a sheet of aluminum foil, place raw asparagus and drizzle about 2 teaspoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper on top. Fold to wrap the foil completely around the asparagus. Place on the grill for about 5 minutes, turning halfway.

Marinate Salmon with the remaining half of fresh lime and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Grill over low flame on both sides until done (look for fat deposits rising to the surface), about 4 minutes on each side.

Want more information about this recipe? Visit the chef!

I have personally tried Chef's Diet and it worked great for me. If you want fantastic tasting meals to help you lose weight for summer, go to my side bar and click on the Chef's Diet icon. Get in shape for summer now!

Recipe courtesy of Chef's Diet.